Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/07/2018 - 13/07/2018
12:00 am

There’s a strong connection between Orkney and Iceland, and we’ve been going to Iceland for nearly 10 years to explore this connection. The Orkneyinga Saga was even written in Iceland! Apart from the obvious Viking links (place names are remarkably similar between Iceland and Orkney) and Europe’s oldest Parliament at þingvellir, there is a strong natural history connection – our wintering birds of Orkney fly northwest to Iceland to breed. Birds such as great-northern diver; Slavonian grebe; greylag and pink-footed geese; and purple sandpipers to name but a few fall into this category. Our orcas (killer whales) even share their lives with Icelandic waters as they hunt a massive stretch of ocean between Orkney and Iceland. This trip visits Snæfellsnes in the West; Akureyri, Hrísey and Mývatn in the North; and þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Dyrhólaey in the South. Specialist birds that we hope to see include Barrow’s goldeneye; harlequin duck; red-necked phalarope; Brunnich’s guillemot; white-tailed eagle; merlin and gyr falcon. Added to this is the backdrop of the stunning volcanic and geo-thermal scenery of Iceland, with geysers, waterfalls and glaciers as standard. Two whale-watching trips are included (one land-based) as we seek close-ups of orcas, minke, humpback and sperm whales. Our Iceland trips are amongst the finest that we do, and Steve’s favourite location! Cost £2,195 excluding flight. THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL. Please click here for 2019 enquiries to Iceland.